Tag Archives: celebrations

Lennon set to miss Celtic's title celebrations as SFA hit manager with three-game ban

, having been found guilty of breaching three rules after rushing on to the pitch at full-time following the Hoops' William Hill Scottish Cup semi-final defeat to Hearts at Hampden to confront referee Euan Norris.

Lennon also received an additional suspended three-match ban which was to come into effect if any act of misconduct was committed by him before the end of this season.

Is this the new England kit 'Leaked' image claims to be latest Three Lions' away strip…

By
Steven Donaldson

PUBLISHED:

13:59 GMT, 20 March 2013

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UPDATED:

14:17 GMT, 20 March 2013

The new England kit will be launched next month but have fans already been treated to a first look at the away strip

A leaked image was posted on various internet sites, claiming that this red jersey will be worn by Roy Hodgson's men.

Sports manufacturing giants Nike are now in control of the Football Association kit sponsorship – including branding of the National Football Centre at St George’s Park – after replacing long-standing partners Umbro.

Is this the new England away kit This 'leaked' image claims to be the latest offering from sports giants Nike

It is understood that Nike will officially unveil the new Three Lions' shirts on St George's Day, April 23.

The likes of Wayne Rooney, Theo Walcott and Ashley Cole can look forward to wearing the new white home kit on May 29 at Wembley against the Republic of Ireland, with the away number to be debuted in Rio this summer.

England play Brazil in June as part of the FA's 150th anniversary celebrations, which plays a prominent part in the rumoured away design with a gold FA badge crest embroidered on the chest.

The minimalistic all-red jersey – pictured above – apparently has a polo collar with buttons to complete a smart look, that appears to be inspired by England's historic 1966 World Cup success.

Sir Trevor Brooking has hit out at the money culture that surrounds some of England's top young footballers.

The former England international and current FA director of football argued that the size of the contracts being handed to some teenagers results in a lack of 'hunger, desire and enthusiasm'.

Speaking as the FA launched its 150th anniversary celebrations in London on Wednesday, Brooking used the example of the England Under-17 side which won the European Championships in 2010 to illustrate his point.

'Players get lots of money too young,' he said. 'It’s a big challenge for the clubs to work out how to deal with that.

'If you’re getting paid 20,000 a week at 18 years old it will affect your hunger, desire and enthusiasm.

'We had an Under-17 team that won the European Championship back in 2010 where they beat Spain and France and passed the ball as well as any other young side. We had hoped that one or two of them might come through into the main national side.

'A couple of them have got big contracts and, to be honest, have not kicked on as we were hoping.'

Slow progress: Connor Wickham starred for England Under-17s in 2010 but has scored just twice for Sunderland since an 8m move in July 2011

The likes of Chelsea's Josh McEachran and Sunderland's Connor Wickham both featured in that side but have failed to hold down regular first-team places at their clubs despite signing long-term deals.

Later, Brooking reiterated his point on talkSPORT, comparing today's climate to the one in which he broke through in back in the late 1960s.

'When I first started you got a basic wage when you broke into the first team, but a lot of the rest of my wages were made up with appearance fees and win bonuses, whereas now they try to lock in massive basics straight away,' he said.

All smiles: Brooking chats with former England boss Fabio Capello on Wednesday

'If you’re getting a basic wage for sitting on the bench or not performing then your club will be thinking, “I’ve signed this guy up for four years and he’s not playing well”. They’re getting too much, too soon.

'It’s one of the biggest problems, especially if you’re a young English player.

'We haven’t got as many of them as we should do and then clubs have to abide by this home-grown player rule within their squads.

'Sometimes an English youngster is included in the squad and you’ll end up paying a bit over the top to get X number of home-grown players whereas, in reality, they’re not worth the money that they’re paid.'

I'm ready to manage in Premier League, reveals Guardiola to put Chelsea and City on alert for swoop

By
Matt Barlow

PUBLISHED:

22:00 GMT, 15 January 2013

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UPDATED:

08:08 GMT, 16 January 2013

Pep Guardiola has fuelled the intrigue surrounding his future by stressing his desire to work in England.

Guardiola sent a message of congratulations to the Football Association as they prepared to launch their 150th anniversary celebrations in London on Wednesday.

And just like Jose Mourinho, who sent a similar message 24 hours earlier, he outlined his ambitions to coach in England, comments sure to alert the biggest clubs in the country.

Scroll down for video

On his way: Pep Guardiola revealed his Premier League dream in a video for the FA

'As a player, I couldn't realise my dream to play there,' said Guardiola.

'But I hope in the future I have a challenge to be a coach or a manager there and feel the experience of all the coaches and players that have been there.

'It is unique, to play in that league. I want to feel the supporters, the environment, the media and the style of the players.

'I am still young, just 41, so I hope in the future I could train there and enjoy that. I have always found English football very fascinating. The support of the home team is amazing.

Star man: Guardiola built one of the world's best teams while at Barcelona

'In Italy, Latin people will support you when you are playing and when you lose, they kill you. In England, I'm always surprised people always support everything and that is nice. That's why I hope to have the challenge to train there.'

Guardiola has been coveted by the biggest clubs in the world since stepping down as Barcelona coach last year after creating one of the best teams of all time.

He has spent much of his time in New York, improving his English, and Chelsea, Manchester City, Manchester United and Arsenal have all been linked with a move for his services.

Anniversary: The Football Association are celebrating 150 years

His plan is to return to work this summer and speculation this week linked him with Bayern Munich, but the Catalan told the FA of his special bond with England and Wembley.

He added: 'I had the opportunity to play two finals at Wembley and that's why my relationship with England is pretty close.

'I played there twice, once as a player when I was 19 and it was my first Champions League as a player, as Barcelona finally won the Champions League. It was a huge honour to play at the old Wembley.

'When I was manager of Barcelona, for our second Champions League in three years, it was a real pleasure to play in the new Wembley.

'Congratulations on this huge anniversary, because 150 years is a lot of years. 'Also because they created the rules of football and have a responsibility for the game. They have been important in the development of our beautiful, beautiful game.'

Manchester City and Chelsea on alert as Guardiola reveals Premier League dream

By
Matt Barlow

PUBLISHED:

22:00 GMT, 15 January 2013

|

UPDATED:

22:35 GMT, 15 January 2013

Pep Guardiola has fuelled the intrigue surrounding his future by stressing his desire to work in England.

Guardiola sent a message of congratulations to the Football Association as they prepared to launch their 150th anniversary celebrations in London on Wednesday.

And just like Jose Mourinho, who sent a similar message 24 hours earlier, he outlined his ambitions to coach in England, comments sure to alert the biggest clubs in the country.

In demand: A host of Premier League clubs are interested in Guardiola's services

'As a player, I couldn't realise my dream to play there,' said Guardiola.

'But I hope in the future I have a challenge to be a coach or a manager there and feel the experience of all the coaches and players that have been there.

'It is unique, to play in that league. I want to feel the supporters, the environment, the media and the style of the players.

'I am still young, just 41, so I hope in the future I could train there and enjoy that. I have always found English football very fascinating. The support of the home team is amazing.

Star man: Guardiola built one of the world's best teams while at Barcelona

'In Italy, Latin people will support you when you are playing and when you lose, they kill you. In England, I'm always surprised people always support everything and that is nice. That's why I hope to have the challenge to train there.'

Guardiola has been coveted by the biggest clubs in the world since stepping down as Barcelona coach last year after creating one of the best teams of all time.

He has spent much of his time in New York, improving his English, and Chelsea, Manchester City, Manchester United and Arsenal have all been linked with a move for his services.

Anniversary: The Football Association are celebrating 150 years

His plan is to return to work this summer and speculation this week linked him with Bayern Munich, but the Catalan told the FA of his special bond with England and Wembley.

He added: 'I had the opportunity to play two finals at Wembley and that's why my relationship with England is pretty close.

'I played there twice, once as a player when I was 19 and it was my first Champions League as a player, as Barcelona finally won the Champions League. It was a huge honour to play at the old Wembley.

'When I was manager of Barcelona, for our second Champions League in three years, it was a real pleasure to play in the new Wembley.

'Congratulations on this huge anniversary, because 150 years is a lot of years. 'Also because they created the rules of football and have a responsibility for the game. They have been important in the development of our beautiful, beautiful game.'

Sterling cash deal as Liverpool wonderboy should get his delayed 18th birthday present

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UPDATED:

22:42 GMT, 7 December 2012

Brendan Rodgers has taken a hands-on role in Raheem Sterling's contract negotiations to ensure the deal reaches a successful conclusion.

Sterling is 18 today, and it was envisaged when contract talks began earlier this year that his birthday celebrations would coincide with Liverpool announcing a new long-term contract for the precocious winger.

Precocious talent: Liverpool winger Raheem Sterling

That will not be the case. Talks between Liverpool managing director Ian Ayre and Sterling's advisers continue but Rodgers, weary of the speculation surrounding the discussions, is confident things will soon be wrapped up.

In order to reach that point, Rodgers has spoken on several occasions to Sterling. He has reminded him about the chance he has been afforded at Anfield, the role Liverpool have played in his development and the rewards that will be there for him if he makes the right moves.

'There are good conversations and there is no worry or concern – it will be resolved,' said Rodgers. 'I'm comfortable with it. The club is working on it very well; Ian Ayre's doing a good job. I've spoken to the agent; there's no problem.

'There has been a lot made of it but there are still 18 months left (on Sterling's current deal). He's a young kid and we just want to make sure that everything's right for him to be nurtured. I have spoken to Raheem. I've gone through what I'd call the core elements of his development.'

From when Rodgers first spoke publicly about Sterling signing a new contract on September 15, he has maintained this would not be the most lucrative deal of his career and re-emphasised the England international's potential will not be spoiled by finance.

That theme has been constant in the discussions Rodgers and Sterling have had and Liverpool's manager has gone to great lengths to advise him to look at the bigger picture, rather than think about the money that other clubs such as Chelsea and Manchester City would be prepared to offer.

'There is a plan in place for him,' said Rodgers. 'There's a commitment there and he's a real good kid. It's quite low profile. We just want to make sure it's right for him and he feels it. I believe he does. It'll get done sooner or later.

'He will have all the tools here, at one of the top football clubs in the world, to progress. I don't want the club or the kid being affected by over-the-odds demands. All the figures that get bandied about for kids these days can destroy them.'

Hands-on approach: Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers

There is no doubt that Sterling's development has been one of the main talking points of Liverpool's campaign but, after making 22 appearances and scoring one goal, there will come a point when Rodgers needs to preserve him by taking him out of the team.

'I'm in the business of trying to help nurture these kids,' Rodgers said. 'Money distorts the reality, I've always said that. So I've always tried to ensure that I give my point of view on it. It's about being sensible rather than going over the top.

'We as a staff are on our toes to make him better, then hopefully from that, we'll get excellence,' he added. 'It's then his responsibility to deliver.'

Carroll's Christmas bash: Police interview 35m West Ham striker over accusations of 'gouging' a photographer after night out that finishes at 5.30am… and where was his leg brace in Burger KingWest Ham striker accused of assaulting a photographerPremier League club back on-loan star amid the allegationsPolice in Dublin made no arrests after probing players

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UPDATED:

10:59 GMT, 4 December 2012

The Christmas party season has begun and Premier League footballers are already embroiled in trouble after Andy Carroll allegedly assaulted a photographer outside a nightclub.

West Ham were the first to get their festive celebrations in full swing as the players went on a weekend tour to Dublin following Saturday’s 3-1 win over Chelsea.

But Carroll, who is ruled out for eight weeks with a knee ligament injury, reportedly went berserk at snapper Paddy Cummins after he attempted to photograph the crocked England international leaving a popular nightspot without a leg brace he had been wearing earlier in the evening.

West Ham have released a statement backing the on-loan Liverpool striker amid the allegations and Carroll's team-mates are also ready to back him over the claims.

'Andy Carroll was in Dublin as part of a social trip with full permission of the management team,' a West Ham spokesman said:

'Andy agreed to have a number of
pictures taken at the request of a photographer who was waiting on the
street.

'Despite this, the photographer then carried on taking photos in
the close proximity of Andy and was politely asked to stop by the
private security team working on the trip.

'When he then continued taking more photos he was restrained by the security team for Andy’s safety.

'Eyewitnesses state at no point was there any physical contact between Andy and the photographer.

'The Garda took statements from the group back at the hotel and no further action was taken.'

Cummins, who is 5ft 8in, claims the 6ft
3in on-loan Liverpool striker gouged his right eye while trying to grab
his camera.

Cummins also claims the former Newcastle star went to bite him after knocking him to the floor.

The 33-year-old photographer was later admitted to hospital, where he offered a statement to the police.

‘He was like a wild animal,’ Cummins told The Sun.

Meal deal: Carroll – seemingly without his protective leg brace on – is pictured ordering food from Burger King at the end of his night out

Injured: Carroll was wearing a protective knee brace on Saturday at Upton Park

‘I felt this terrible pain in my eye as he gouged me.

‘I was screaming, “My eyes!” but he kept it up. The pain was incredible.’

A spokesman for the Garda press office in Dublin said officers received a report of an incident at 2.30am yesterday.

Officers at the city's Pearse Street station are investigating the incident.

It is understood members of the West Ham football team were spoken to by gardai following reports of an assault.

No arrests were made, the Garda spokesman said.

Carroll’s agent Mark Curtis, who is
also the representative for Hammers boss Sam Allardyce, declined to
comment over the alleged assault.

Speaking about the disappearance of
the leg brace he said: ‘The leg brace was outside his trousers inside
the club because he wanted people to see it so they wouldn’t knock into
him. When he left he put it under the trousers.

Night out: Andy Carroll and Kevin Nolan were part of West Ham's Christmas party weekend tour to Dublin, where they were pictured with Irish fans

‘He can’t walk without it. He isn’t a daft lad and he wouldn’t be able to put weight on his leg without it.

'You can see from the shape of his trousers in the picture [published in The Sun] that it’s underneath.'

Allardyce’s side were staying at the
five-star Fitzwilliam Hotel and kicked-off their weekend in the Irish
capital’s Grafton Lounge before visiting the popular Coppers nightspot.

Spell on the sidelines: Carroll is out for eight weeks with a knee injury

Carroll was one of several first-team
Hammers’ players spotted by fans at the Quays pub in Temple Bar in the
early hours of Sunday morning said to be downing pints of Guinness and
Jagerbombs.

According to the report in The Sun, Carroll refused to discuss the alleged spat with the photographer and insisted he’d had a ‘great night’.

West Ham told the newspaper that snapper Cummins was ‘restrained’ by security staff outside the nightclub in question but denied contact with the striker.

Beckham pledges to continue MLS link after bowing out with LA Galaxy in style

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UPDATED:

01:46 GMT, 2 December 2012

David Beckham insists his personal involvement with Major League Soccer is not over after ending his five-year stay in the United States in style.

The former England captain bowed out after five years with the Los Angeles Galaxy in the MLS Cup final, with his side seeing off the Houston Dynamo 3-1 to take the trophy for the second year in a row.

Fond farewell: David Beckham's American odyssey ended with silverware

It was a triumphant finale to 37-year-old Beckham's American odyssey, though when he made the move from Real Madrid in 2007 he had claimed he was partly motivated by the chance to promote his sport in the USA.

He has yet to reveal where he will play next, though he has no shortage of lucrative offers awaiting his attention. But regardless of his destination, he claims the MLS will remain important to him.

'This is very special for us. To win at our own home is fantastic,' he said.

Glory boys: Beckham and Robbie Keane lift the MLS Cup

'I always said I was going to stick by it. When I'm committed to something I'm committed to the end.

'It's sad that it is the end; this has been a special place for me and continues to be special to me.

'I'm happy to have been part of this for nearly six years and to have been successful with this club for four years.

'I'm going to continue my commitment to this league, this country and this sport. My commitment stays the same to growing this league and growing the sport in this country.'

Party time: Beckham and his tam-mates begin the celebrations

Asked where he would be playing next, Beckham responded by playing to the fans in California's Home Deport Center.

'I have no idea, what's more important is that I'm happy I'm wearing this (Galaxy) uniform today.'

EXCLUSIVE: England's prestige friendly in Brazil a doubt amid FIFA fears that the Maracana will not be ready

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UPDATED:

15:52 GMT, 26 November 2012

England were warned today that their glamour centenary pre-World Cup friendly with Brazil has not yet been sanctioned by FIFA.

Roy Hodgson has been planning to prepare his team for the 2014 finals in Brazil with an acclimatising fixture in the famous Copa Cabana stadium in Rio next June.

However, FIFA General Secretary Jerome Valcke told the FA delegation to the SoccerEx World Convention here: ‘I know England want this game but we have not yet approved the fixture.’

The Maracana is under major reconstruction and Valcke said: We will not give a certificate for this game unless we are sure that the stadium is ready and that all the proper safety and security measures are in place’.

Boys from Brazil: Wayne Rooney clashes with Thiago Emiliano De Silva
during a 2009 friendly between the two nations in Qatar

England plan to launch the FA's 150th anniversary celebrations with matches against Brazil and the Republic of Ireland next year.

Five-times World Cup winners Brazil will visit Wembley in February as part of a two-match arrangement that will see England head to South America for a short tour in June.

Immediately before that, the Three Lions will take on the Republic of Ireland for the first time since their abandoned fixture in Dublin 17 years ago.

While the February 6 encounter with Brazil is bound to be attractive, given the South Americans were recently in the UK for the Olympics and played Team GB just before, arguably the Irish match on May 29 is of more significance.

Certainly, Wembley is likely to be full given the interest there is bound to be from the Irish fans in their side's first visit to the stadium since 1991.

Not quite ready: The renovation of the Maracana Stadium for the 2014 World Cup and Rio 2016 Olympic Games pictured last week. Concern over the arena's readiness means England's friendly next summer may be off

Fingers crossed: And how the famous old ground will look when full renovated

LAST TIME OUT…

In their last meeting, in the Qatari capital Doha, a makeshift England side lost to a Nilmar goal.

The 1-0 scoreline flattered England, however, with Fabiano spooning a penalty over Ben Foster's goal in the second half after the goalkeeper had brought Nilmar down.

Brazil captain Lucio hit the post with a scorching shot late on, as Fabio Capello's side, which featured Wes Brown, Matthew Upson, Darren Bent and Jermaine Jenas, were well beaten.

For the FA, the high-profile fixtures are in keeping with the rest of their 150th anniversary celebrations.

The teams last played in June 2009 in Doha.

And, as Club England chief executive Adrian Bevington pointed out, the South American expedition
will be vital preparation for a tilt at the World Cup, which is being hosted by
Brazil in 2014.

'We have been planning the fixtures in Brazil for over a
year, as a key part of our preparation for 2014 – subject to qualification,' he
said.

'Our players do not have any experience of playing in South
America and it will undoubtedly be beneficial for the team to travel and play
in Brazil, a year ahead of the World Cup. We negotiated our qualifying schedule
with a specific view to allowing this.

'While in Brazil, The FA and England squad will play an
active role in developing and supporting a charity programme both in advance of
and during the summer of 2013 and 2014.'

Iconic fixture: Bobby Moore (right) and Pele swap shirts after England lost 1-0 to Brazil at the 1970 World Cup